Ski boots safety harness



June 20, 1967 e. P. .1. SALOMON 3,326,566

SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS Filed June 9, 1964 9 sheets sheet l 3 1 32 10 1 7/7- 15 17 1s IIIZ INVENTOR.

Fig.3 Georges RJ SALUMUN BY awwasa 166620, 1967 G. P. J.SALOMON 3,326,566

SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS Filed June 9, 1964 9 Sheets-5heet 2 Y I NVENTOR.

Georges. F. J. SALOMON June 20, 1967 G. P. .1. SALOMON SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 9, 1964 Fig. 7

8'0 g 62 'E i Fig.9

INVENTOR. Georges RJ SALOMON June 20, 1967 G. P. .1. SALOMON 3,326,566

SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS Filed June 9, 1964 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 I NVE NTOR.

Georges Pd. SALOMON G. P. J. SALOMON June 20, 1967 SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS 9 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 9, 1964 Fig 128 INVENTOR.

Geo/yes P. J. SALOMON June 20, 1967 G. P. J. SALOMON SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 9, 1964 INVENTOR. Georges RJ SALOMON BY June 20, 1967 G. P. J. SALOMON SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 9, 1964 F IQ. 18

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Fig. 19 INVENTOR Georges PJ 5ALOM0/V June 20, 1967 G. P. .1. SALOMON SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June 9, 1964 INVENTOR. Georges PJ SALOMON United States Patent 3,326,566 SKI BOOTS SAFETY HARNESS Georges P. J. Salomon, 34 Ave. de Loverchy, Anrrecy, Haute-Savoie, France Filed June 9, 1964, Ser. No. 373,710 Claims priority, application France, June 10, 1963, 881; Dec. 24, 1963, 958,448; Jan. 27, 1964, 890 4 Claims. (Cl. 280-1135) The present invention relates to a ski safety harness and more particularly to that part of a ski harness intended to clamp the rearward portion of a ski boot against a ski.

Ski, harnesses, particularly safety ski harnesses, of various types are known wherein the boot is secured to the ski by means of a forward abutment and a rearward clamping and centering device for the boot heel.

An object of the present invention lies in the provision of a vertical holding device for the heel of a boot wherein safety release is obtained by the slipping away of a movable part, such as a rocking lever, releasing the boot holding member (jaw or the like) from a resilient means adapted to hold the said member in place, in closed clamping position.

According to the invention, the said holding device comprises a jaw, constituted by a lever or forming a part thereof, arranged in such a manner as to exert a downwardly acting generally vertical thrust, on the heel of the boot. The said lever is provided with an arm adapted to drive, when the boot is moved, a rocker capable of withdrawing by dropping or moving away, the said rocker being slidably guided by any known guiding means which totally or partially stops after a predetermined travel of the rocker to thus allow the said rocker to move away by rocking, the said movement resulting in the release of the lever arm, the lever, the holding jaw and the boot. During driving, the lever arm exerts on the rocker a thrust which is first rectilinear, horizontal, vertical or inclined followed, at the end of the travel corresponding to the period immediately preceding the slipping movement, a rectilinear thrust combined with an impulse tending to pivot the rocker. In rocked position corresponding to the open position of the jaw, the rocker has become locked behind hooking members of the guiding means and remains hooked to the said members, retaining the resilient driving means for the jaw in holding engagement on the boot heel, means which tend to resist the rectilinear sliding of the rocker in the direction causing opening of the said jaw, in holding position, in such a manner that the actuation thereof is not necessary when the boot is put on.

According to a feature of the invention, the vertically operative device for holding the heel of the boot against the ski comprises an automatic means for resetting the jaw in holding position of the said heel, the said means being actuated by the heel of the boot when the ski is harnessed for instance by means of the horizontal thrust member of the boot for those boots provided with rearward securing devices or by means of an articulated lever comprising two arms. In the reharnessing means obtained through the medium of an articulated lever having two arms, one of the arms, which is located beneath the heel of the boot and is raised in open position of the jaw, is pivotally brought down by the heel of the boot during mounting of the skis, thus pivoting the second arm which directly or indirectly actuates the rocker in such a way as to unlock the latter by removing it from behind the locking members of the guiding means. The jaw, which again becomes connected to the resilient means, is brought against the upper edge of the heel of the boot in vertical retaining position thereof over the ski.

3,326,566 Patented June 20, 1967 ice Deharnessing may advantageously be obtained by means of a lever which may be operated either by hand or with the tip of the ski pole, the said lever driving the rocker into locked position by compressing the resilient means, preferably by direct action of an arm, of an incline or the like of the said lever on the jaw or the like for the vertical securement of the heel.

The vertical holding device may advantageously and according to the invention be adjustably mounted for longitudinal sliding action on the ski, for instance, by means of a plate provided with catches or the like, allowing adjustment for various lengths of boots. On the other hand, the holding device may also be adjustably mounted vertically for adjustment to different boot heel thicknesses, a mounting which may advantageously be obtained by stabilizing the said device between two vertical checks of a support through which apertures are provided for the passage, for the various adjusting heights, of bolts or the like for fixing the device on the support.

According to a further feature of the invention which makes it possible to obtain a device of the aforesaid type having an appreciably reduce-d volume, two identical rockers are symmetrically mounted on each side of the resilient means. The latter means is advantageously constituted by a coiled compression spring through which a bolt extends which is secured, by the head thereof, against the housing of the harness. The spring is mounted between a nut secured against rotation by any appropriate means on the screw and a retaining stirrup for the two rockers, the said stirrup sliding on the body of the bolt.

Also according to the invention, the vertical holding jaw for the boot is capable of a wide rearward opening movement thus preventing any interference by the heel during harnessing of the ski. However, because of this wide opening, the rocker will no longer be able to drive directly, upon release thereof, the jaw in substantially vertical holding position of the heel. Therefore, a part is provided which, directly or through the medium of cams, rods, levers or the like and as the heel is being lowered, starts the return-rocking movement of the jaw or the like, and then directly or indirectly releases the rocker which under the action of the resilient means, controls latter part of the return-rocking movement of the jaw and/or the holding of the latter in substantially vertical holding position of the heel on the ski.

Again, according to another feature of the invention, the operating part of the jaw is constituted by a supporting part made adjustable in height by means, for instance, of a bolt and a nut mounted against axial displacement one on the jaw and the other on the adjustable supporting part.

The invention will be best understood by the following description having reference to the appended drawing giving, as non-limitative example, various embodiments of the said invention.

In the drawing:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting holding device according to the invention respectively illustrated in closed and opened positions;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view along line IIIIII of FIG. 1, particularly intended to illustrate the means for adjusting the vertical position of the said device;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are longtiudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting holding device made according to a second embodiment of the invention and respectively illustrated in closed and opened or clamping and release positions;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting'holding device according to a further embodiment of the invention and illustrated respectively in closed and opened position;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting holding device made according to a still further embodiment of the invention and respectively illustrated in the closed and opened positions;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting holding device made according to a yet further embodiment of the invention and illustrated respectively in closed and opened positions;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are longitudinal cross-sectionad views of a vertically acting holding device made according to a still further embodiment of the invention and respectively illustrated in closed and opened positions;

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting holding device made according to another embodiment of the invention and respectively illustrated in closed, opened and resetting positions;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting holding device, illustrating a still further embodiment of the invention respectively illustrated in closed and opened positions;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting holding device in accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention and respectively illustrated in closed and opened positions;

FIGS. 21 to 22 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a vertically acting holding device made according to a still further embodiment of the invention and respectively illustrated in closed and opened positions;

FIG. 23 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a partially shown vertically acting holding device provided with means for intentional deharnessing;

FIG. 24 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an advantageous arrangement of the resilient retaining means and the partially shown rockers of a vertical holding device;

FIG. 25 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View of a vertical holding device, partially illustrated, showing a means for the control of the closure of the jaw provided with a height regulation and unlocking device for the rocker.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, jaw 1 is shown as being made up of a bent part 2 rigidly secured to a lever 3 articulated on an axle 4 mounted behind a boot at the level of the top of heel 6, whereby to provide a flat engagement for jaw 1. Lever 3 comprises an arm adapted to be driven counterclockwise (arrow 11) by a finger 12, which rotation corresponds to the securing or holding action of jaw 1 on heel 6. Finger 12 is integral with a rocker 13 pivotally mounted on an axle 14 which is part of a sliding rod biased in the direction of arrow 16 by a compression spring 17, the latter bearing against a washer 18 and a tension adjusting nut 19 mounted on a threaded free end of rod 15 and against a casing of the holding device.

Finger 12, integral with or otherwise securely fastened to rocker 13, and axle 14 are mounted for sliding displacement in a slot having, at the end corresponding to finger 12, a cut-out 26 for the said finger 12. In the clamping position of FIG. 1, spring 17, acting through rod 15, biases rocker 13 and its finger 12 in sliding motion in the direction of arrow 16 thus rocking arm 10 of lever 3 as well as the said lever counterclockwise (arrow 11) causing clamping of heel 6 against ski 28.

When the heel 6 of boot 5 is raised, for instance, when the skier falls forward, jaw 1, lever 3 and arm 10 of the said lever 3 pivot clockwise (arrow 30, FIG. 2) about axle 4. Then arm 10, hooked to finger 12, forces rocker 13, axle 14 and rod 15 in sliding displacement in accordance with arrow 31 while compressing spring 17 until finger 12 reaches cut-out 26 of slot 25. At that moment, and as shown in FIG. 2, rocker 13 pivots and finger 12, eventual- 1y forced into separating from the end of arm 10, falls into cut-out 26. Arm 10, lever 3 and jaw 1 released from the retaining force exerted on arm 10, then pivot clockwise (arrow 30) about axle 4, releasing boot 5 from ski 28. It will be noted that finger 12 has thus become locked in cut-out 26, retaining spring 17 under compression and, consequently, freeing jaw 1 for rotation. An appropriate leaf spring 32 tends to maintain jaw 1 in upward open position to facilitate re-insertion of the boot.

Release of rocker 13 may be obtained by any appropriate means but would preferably be obtained by means of the boot horizontal thrust member, for instance, by means of cams, inclines or the like controlled by the rear end of the said horizontal thrust member in its rearward movement produced during harnessing. Heel 6 having pushed the rearward end back becomes solidly secured on the ski by means of jaw 1, again biased by spring 17, in holding engagement over heel 6.

On the other hand, the vertically acting holding device can be adjusted as to height by moving axle 4 substantially level with or slightly above the upper face of heel 6 thus ensuring a firm flat engagement of jaw 1 over the said heel 6. This adjustment may be obtained, for instance, by locking the device on a stirrup 40, fixed to ski 28, by means of bolts 41 extending across casing 20 of the device through holes and vertical slots 42 through stirrup 40, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

T he holding device of FIGS. 4 and 5 only distinguishes from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the rocker 48, which is similar to rocker 13 of FIGS. 1 and 2, mounted to pivot about axle 14 on rod 15 with axle 14 sliding in longitudinal slot 50 of casing 20, is made of one piece including a head 51 forming a locking hook 52. The sliding displacement of rocker 48 is guided by having the lower face of head 51 slide over the upper surface of a stationary locking block 55. In closed position, the non-illustrated spring, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, pulls on rod 15 and rocker 48 along arrow 16 and, consequently, causes jaw 1 to pivot counterclockwise (arrow 11) to ensure that heel 6 of boot 5 is clamped against ski 28.

When heel 6 is raised, jaw 1 pivots clockwise (arrow 30) about axle 4 driving with it rocker 48 and rod 15 'in sliding displacement along arrow 31 until locking hook 52 of rocker 48 reaches the level of locking surface 58 of the locking block 55. Head 51 thereafter drops, freeing jaw 1, in the manner :described in connection with FIG. 2 and the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 described above.

The holding device of FIGS. 6 and 7 distinguishes over that of FIGS. 4 and 5 only in that the rocker 48 is driven in the direction of arrow 16 and jaw 60, similar ,to jaw 1 of FIGS. 1 and 5, pivots counterclockwise (arrow 11) to abut heel 6 and force it vertically against ski 28 by means of a compression spring 61 housed within the device and abutting, on the one hand, the 'bottom of a cup-shaped member 62 resting on a screw 63 serving to adjust the tension in said spring and screwed into a cheek 64 forming part of a fixed support 65 and, on the other hand, on the bottom of a second cup-shaped member 66 integrated to or otherwise fixedly secured to a rod 67 driving rocker 48, member 66 being guided in its displacement in an appropriate bore provided through a second check 68 also forming part of support 65.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, jaw 70 which is pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 4 is driven into counterclockwise rocking movement (arrow 11) whereby to bear on the top of heel 6 to force it against ski 28, by means of a compression spring 71 housed within the holding device through the medium of its arm 72 driven by a rocker 73 including a cup-shaped member 74 on the bottom of which one end of spring 71 abuts, the other end being applied against the bottom of a second cup-shaped member 75 in articulated abutment formed by a spherical groove 76 within which fits the spherical head 77 of a screw 78 adapted to adjust the tension of spring 71 and threada-bly mounted on a stationary support 79. The displacement of rocker 73 is guided by having the lower surface 80 thereof slidable .on the upper surface 81 of a stationary locking block 82.

In the closed position of FIG. 8 and under the action of the spring 71, the rocker 73 drives jaw 70 into anticlockwise rotation (arrow 11) to ensure holding of heel 6 against ski 28.

When heel 6 is raised, jaw 70 rotates clockwise (arrow about axle 4 driving rocker 73 slidably in the direction of arrow 31 until an appropriate locking book 85 of the said rocker 73 comes level with a locking surface 86 of the said locking block 82. Under the releasing action of arm 72, rocker 73 is driven downwardly which results in the engagement of its locking hook 85 behind surface 86 of locking block 82, thus locking the holding device in open position (FIG. 9) and allowing jaw to swing back and release boot 5. The assembly made up of cupshaped member 75, spring 71 under compression and rocker 73 has now taken an inclined position obtained by rotation of the cup-shaped 75 on the spherical 'extremity 77 of screw 78.

The operating features and the use of the holding devices described respectively in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5, 6 and 7 and 8 and 9 do not differ in the least way from those of the device described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2.

The retaining device illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 distinguishes from that of FIGS. 4 and 5 only in that rod 15 and compression spring 17 are mounted on a substantially vertical axis, contrary to the horizontal arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 5. The other elements of the combination and the principle of operation remains practically identical.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, clamping of boot heel 6 on the ski 28 is obtained by means of a jaw 103 embodied in a thrust member 104 fixedly secured on a lever 105 articulated to an axle 103, lever 105 comprising an am driven in anticlockwise rotation (arrow 11) by the 'head 112 of a rocker 114 pivoting about an axle 115 driven along arrow 16 by any appropriate resilient means (not shown). Axle 115 is guided in its displacement by sliding in a slot 118 in the clamping position of FIG. 12 and is under a thrust applied by rocker 114 moving in the direction illustrated by arrow 16. Jaw 103 then tends to rock anticlockwise (arrow 11) to thus press heel 6 against ski 28.

As heel 6 is raised, jaw 103 pivots clockwise (arrow 30) about axle 1116 driving rocker 114 in the direction of arrow 31, compressing the resilient means of rocker 114 until such a time as locking hook 122 of the head 112 of rocker 114 is moved to the level of the locking .face 125 of locking block 128. At that time, head 114 pivots and drops, thus freeing jaw 183 and, consequently, the heel 6 of the boot. Rocker 114 is held behind locking block 128 thus holding the resilient means under compression which means tends to drive the said rocker 114 in the direction of arrow 16.

According to a further feature of the invention, the holding device comprises a releasing means for rocker 114 and, consequently, of automatic re-engagement of .jaw 103 in clamping position. This latter means consists of a harnessing lever 130 pivotally mounted on an axle 131 and formed of two arms 132 and 133. Arm 132 is disposed to come underneath heel 6 of the boot whereas arm 133 comes under head 112 of the rocker 114. Lever 130 is biased into clockwise rotation (arrow 135) by a spring 136.

In opened position of jaw 103, as shown in FIG. 13, the arm 132 which is then free of heel 6 is raised whereas arm 133 is held in abutment by rotation according to arrow 135.

During harnessing, heel 6 drops (arrow 138) and comes against arm 132 of harnessing lever 130 driving the latter into counterclockwise rotation (arrow 140) thus forcing arm 133 in abutment against head 112 of rocker 114 to cause it to rotate counterclockwise (arrow 142) until it releases the locking hook 122 from the locking face 125 of the block 128. Rocker 114, pulled in the direction of arrow 16 by the abovementioned resilient means, slides rearwardly driving with it jaw 103 which then pivots anticlockwise (arrow 11) to press the jaw against heel 6 in the clamped position illustrated in FIG. 12. It is obvious that as heel 6 starts to rise, it releases arm 132 of lever 130 allowing arm 133 to drop behind locking face 125 of block 128.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 differentiates from that of FIGS. 12 and 13 only in that the means for releasing the rocker and automatically returning the jaw in clamping position is made up of a lever pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 151 and comprising two arms 152 and 153. Arm 152 is located adjacent heel 6 while arm 153 is on the side of the rocker 155 and in a position to act directly thereon, all in an arrangement similar to that of FIGS. 12 and 13. Lever 150 is driven into rotation according to arrow 158 by a biasing spring 160. In the closed position of jaw 103 (FIG. *14) arm 152, which is provided with a roller 161 rotatably mounted on an axle 152, abuts the rearward edge of heel 6 maintaining lever 150 in an articulated upward position against the bias of spring 160.

When heel 6 is raised, it rotates jaw 103 anticlockwise (arrow 30) energizing the resilient means which tends to move rocker 155 according to arrow 16. After heel 6 has risen a certain distance, roller 161 of arm 152 moves beneath the lower surface of heel 6 which allows lever 150 to pivot according to arrow 158 under the bias of spring and in so doing moving in front of rocker 155 which at that time continues to slide on the locking block 128 (FIG. 15). Lever 150 then comes to rest, or soon thereafter, against the ski by its Iarm 153.

Continuing to be acted upon by movement of the heel 6, rocker 155 eventually reaches the end of its rectilinear displacement and falls so that the locking hook 164 thereof comes in abutment on the locking face 125 of block 128 in open position of the holding device (FIG. 16).

When harnessing, heel 6 comes in contact with roller 161 (FIG. 16) driving lever 150 into rotation according to arrow 163. Arm 153 rises and comes in contact with a lug 166 in the forward face of rocker 155 driving the latter into clockwise rotation (arrow 167) in such a manner as to release it from block 128. The released rocker 155 is driven in the direction of arrow 116 causing counterclockwise rotation of jaw 103 to thrust heel 6 on ski 28 as shown in FIG. 14. Branch 153 of lever 150 is then in the raised position illustrated in FIG. 14.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18, a jaw 168 rotatable around a stationary axle 169 is provided with an arm 17 0 driven into counterclockwise rotation by means of a finger 17 3 securely fixed to a rocker 174 pivotally mounted on an axle 175 provided on a sliding rod 176 biased in the direction of arrow 16 by a spring 178 disposed over a rod 176 between a washer 179 and an adjustment nut 186 screwed at one end of rod 76 and the casing 182 of the holding device.

Movement of finger 173 and axle 175 is guided by a slot 185 having a cut-out 186 at a forward end thereof for finger 173.

In the closed position of FIG. 17, the biasing spring 178 drives rod 176 and thus finger 173 of rocker 174 along arrow 116 forcing rotation of arm and consequently of jaw 168 around the axis of axle 169. This action causes jaw 168 to clamp heel 6 and retain it against the ski 28.

As the heel 6 rises, it causes rotation for jaw 168 and arm 170 according to arrow 30 thus driving rod 176 and rocker 174 leftward against the bias of spring 178 until such a time as finger 173 comes in alignment with cut-out 186 at which time it pivots downwardly about the axis of raxle and becomes locked in the cut-out 186. I aw 168 is free to pivot and does so under the thrust of a leaf spring 192 tending to keep the said jaw 168 in opened position thus facilitating re-harnessing of the boot, as illustrated in FIG. 18.

The embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18, which can be adjusted as to height on a stirrup 195 integnal with ski 28 by means of bolts 196 passing across holes through casing 182 and vertical slots 197 of the said stirrup 195, comprises a releasing means for the rocker 174 which is made up of a releasing lever 200 pivotally mounted on an axle 201 fixedly secured to stationary support 202. Lever 200 is provided with an L-shaped arm 205 adapted to project beneath heel 6 and a sector 206 comprising, along an edge thereof, a plurality of teeth 207. On the other hand, the rocker 174 or its finger 173 is provided with a pin 208.

In the clamping position of FIG. 17, heel 6 of the boot maintains the toothed sector 206 in front of the pin 208 of the rocker 174. During rising heel 6, the rocker 174 is first displaced rectilinearly along arrow 31 and pin 208 engages between two teeth 207 of the sector 206 which, when rocker 174 drops and rotates according to arrow 190, drives the lever 200 in rotation according to arrow 210 (FIG. 18). When ski 28 is harnessed, heel 6 presses on L-shaped arm 205 of lever 200 driving the latter into reverse rotation and releasing finger 173 from the cut-out 186 to direct it into slot 185. The toothed sector 206 comprises several teeth 207 so that, in clamped position "of jaw 168, pin 208 faces the said teeth 207 for any vertical position of casing 182 of the holding device.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 only distinguishes from that of FIGS. 17 and 18 in that releasing of finger 173 from the cut-out 186 is accomplished, during harnessing, by the action of heel 6 through the medium of lever 215 pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 216 and acting on a slider 217 provided with teeth 218 for driving pin 208 of rocker 174. Lever 215 has an arm 220 adapted to sit underneath heel 6 and a second arm 221 acting against the lower face of slider 217. The latter is guided in vertical sliding motion in a slot of the V casing 182 by means of pins 223 of which it is provided.

In the closed position of FIG. 19, the thrust of heel 6 on arm 220 or lever 215 locates the toothed edge of slider 217 in front of rocker 174. During the rising movement of heel 6, rocker 174 being first driven in the direction of arrow 31, the pin 208 moves between two teeth 218 which results, during downward pivoting of rocker 174 along arrow 190, in driving lever 215 clockwise (arrow 224 of FIG. 20). When the ski is being harnessed again, heel 6 steps on arm 220 and drives it downward causing reverse rotation thereof and releasing of finger 173 from the retaining cut-out 186 with the said finger 173 moving into slot 185. The slider comprises several teeth 218 for the same purpose as that explained in connection with sector 206 of the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 21 and 22, the holding device for heel 6 of the boot comprises a jaw 225 pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 226 and provided with an arm 227 acting on a rocker 228 similar to rocker 114 of FIGS. 12 and 13. However, rocker 228 is mounted substantially upwardly. Jaw 225 is driven into counterclockwise rotation, corresponding to the clamping position on heel 6, by means of its arm 227 and the head 232 of rocker 228, the said rocker 228 being driven in sliding motion according to arrow 234 by means of a biasing spring 235. Spring 235 is biased between, on the one hand, a washer 236 and an adjustment nut 237 and, on the other hand, an abutment plate 238 secured to casing 240 of the holding device, to a rod 244 and a lever 245 pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 246. Rocker 228 and rod 244 are articulated at each end of lever 245 to rotate about axles 247 and 248. The principle of operation of the holding device of FIGS. 21 and 22 does not differentiate from that described in conjunction with the preceding figures. However, the vertical arrangement thereof should be noted as it offers the advantages of a much reduced volume of the resilient driving device for the jaw 225; the latter driving device being furthermore located within casing 240 thus allowing a better protection thereof against weathering and blocking due to snow or frost. However, the abovenoted protection does not prevent adjustment of nut 237 which can be made through the space located between the lower edge of casing 240 and ski 28. The holding device of FIGS. 21 and 22 may be adjusted as to height between the cheeks of a stirrup by means of bolts 196 extending across holes through casing 240 and slots 197 of the said stirrup 195.

Releasing of rocker 228, which is locked in opened position of the jaw 225 as illustrated in FIG. 22, is obtained by means of a lever 252 pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 253. Lever 252 comprises an arm 254 reaching underneath heel 6 and a second arm 255 coming in contact with a lateral face 256 of rocker 228. During harnessing of the ski, heel 6 comes in contact with arm 254 of lever 252 to drive the latter counterclockwise (arrow 257) which causes driving rocker 228 into counterclockwise rotation (arrow 258) resulting in the releasing of the said rocker from the locking block 250. Immediately after rocker 228 is released from block 250, spring 235 drives lever 245 into rotation according to arrow 260 and rocker 228 in sliding displacement upwardly according to arrow 234 of FIG. 21, the result being to drive jaw 225 counterclockwise corresponding to the holding movement and support for heel 6. The clamped position of FIG. 21 is now reached.

Adjustment as to height of the holding device does not affect its operation since arm 255 of lever 252 is capable of acting on any point of the lateral face 256 of rocker 228 in any position of casing 240.

In FIG. 23, the holding device is shown as constituted in the manner of embodiment of FIG. 4, that is, by a jaw 301 having a bearing part 302 exerting a substantially vertical thrust on the top of heel 6 to retain it against ski 28. law 301, pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 308, is driven into rotation according to arrow 11 by means of a rocker 321 acting on an arm 310. Rocker 321 is pivotally mounted on an axle 313 slidably guided in horizontal displacement in slot 314, the said rocker 312 itself being driven according to arrow 16 by any appropriate resilent means. Intentional deharnessing is obtained, according to a feature of the present invention, by means of a lever 320, pivotally mounted on axle 321 and comprising an operating boss 322. During rising of an operating arm 323 of lever 320 consequent to clockwise rotation thereof, the said boss 322 comes in contact with jaw 301. It will be noted that lever 320 projects rearwardly from casing 325 of the harness. Jaw 301 is pivoted into open position counterclockwise according to arrow 30 and rearwardly thus compressing the resilient means until the rocker falls forwardly of thelocking block 330 retaining the resilient means locked in compressed position. Arm 310 being free at that time from rocker 312, jaw 301 continues to open thus freeing heel 6 of the boot.

In FIG. 24, the holding device is shown as formed of a jaw 335 having a bearing part 336 exerting a vertical thrust on heel 6 to retain the latter against ski 28. The latter jaw 335 being pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 338 and being driven into rotation clockwise by means of two rockers 341 similar to rocker 321 of FIG. 23 and through two arms 340. The two rockers 341 are located each on one side of a resilient means constituted by a coiled spring 342. The two rockers 341 are each articulated on an axle 343 fixedly secured on one of the two cheeks 344 of a stirrup 345 slidably mounted on a screw 346 extending across the, coiled spring 342. The screw has a head 347 abutting against the outer face of a casing 350. Spring 342 is compressed between the said stirrup 345 and a nut 355 threadedly mounted on one end of screw 346, the said nut 355 being prevented from rotation in any convenient manner, for instance, by the pressure of spring 342 itself. During rising of heel 6, for

instance during a forward fall by the skier, jaw 335 pivots clockwise thus compressing spring 342 through arm 340, rockers 341 and stirrup 345. The latter stirrup then slides in the direction of arrow 31 on screw until such a time as rockers 341, sliding on two locking blocks 364, reach the forward end of the said blocks and fall in locking engagement with the forward faces thereof. Jaw 335 is therefore freed from heel 6 and spring 342 is in compressed condition.

Adjustment of the tension in spring 342 and, consequently, of opening of jaw 335 is obtained by threading or unthreading a screw 346, the head 347 of which is provided with a slit 368 for that purpose. It is obvious that the arrangement of spring 342 between the rockers 341 makes it possible to obtain a rearward holding device of particularly small volume.

In FIG. 25, the retaining device shown is constituted by a jaw 375, pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 376 and including a bearing part 377 adapted to cause securement of the boot against the ski 28, the said part 377 being adjustable in height in relation to jaw 375 by means of a screw 380 in order that the height of the bearing part 377 may readily be adjusted in accordance with the height of heel to which it is adapted to be applied. Screw 380 is mounted on the jaw 375 in such a way as to be locked against rotation to prevent any untimely release. For instance, the end 385 of screw 380 may be riveted against the foot 386 of a part 387 fixedly secured on jaw 375, with interposition of a washer and in such a manner that a tension exists in the body of screw 380 between the riveted head 385 and the slitted head 388, the latter being preferably machined whereby to snugly fit into a conical recess in jaw 375. The threaded part of screw 380 is threaded through an appropriate arm 390 of the bearing part 377 further comprising a part 391 parallel to screw 380 and eventually coming against a bent end 392 of jaw 375 when the bearing part 377 sits on heel 6.

According to a feature of the invention, jaw 375 pivots substantially rearwardly in open position whereby heel 6 avoids coming in contact with jaw 375 during harnessing, for instance. Rocker 395 is pivotally mounted on an axle 396 driven rightward by any appropriate resilient means. In the rearwardly pivoted position of jaw 375, rocker 395 cannot drive, during the release thereof when the harness is put on, the said jaw 375 into heel gripping engagement as in the above-described examples. Indeed, rocker 395 when released would move below arm 399 of the said jaw 375. It is therefore necessary to drive jaw 375, when the harness is put on, at least at the beginning of its return movement, so that when rocker 395 is released, it may complete the return of jaw 375 and maintain it in heel retaining position.

For instance, jaw 375 is driven in return movement, as shown in FIG. 25 by lowering heel 6 which then acts on arm 402 of a lever 404 pivotally mounted on a stationary axle 405; lever 404 comprising a second arm 406 coming in contact during anticlockwise movement of the said lever 404 with a leaf spring 408 secured to arm 409 of jaw 375. law 375 is then driven into return movement until lever 404, constantly being pushed by heel 6, causes release of rocker 395 by means of a pin 410. Rocker 395 being released drives jaw 375 into return movement until heel 6 is retained on ski 28 by means of the bearing part 377 of jaw 375.

When heel 6 has reached the end of its travel, that is when it abuts ski 28, arm 406 of lever 404 terminates its stroke by compressing the leaf spring 408 with jaw 375 in heel clamping position against ski 28.

In accordance with a further embodiment which is not illustrated, the driving lever for the jaw first controls the return movement of the jaw by means of an incline or the like and then, at the end of the stroke, stops its movement by moving away from the said jaw.

The invention is not to be limited to the aforedescribed mechanisms only but concerns all safety harnessing devices for skis adapted to immobilize the boot heels and being released by the escape of a movable part which frees the part (jaw or the like) pressing on the boot from the resilient means intended to maintain the said part in closed position.

The invention is particularly adaptable to rear safety securing devices wherein the whole mechanism moves back at the time the harness is put on, the horizontal thrust member being integral with all of the mechanism and, particularly, of the jaw which moves back with it, while deforming the horizontal thrust resilient means.

Within the spirit of the invention are any resilient means driving the rocker member and the means for unlatching the harness, releasing the rocker, adjusting the height of the bearing part, driving the jaw at the beginning of its return movement and whatever be the number, the shape, the dimensions, the proportions and the arrangement of the various parts which constitute the vertical retaining device and the means cited previously, parts which could furthermore be made in any material and/ or combinations of materials, offer all shapes, subjected to any physical, chemical treatments, etc., in order, for instance, to protect them against wear, corrosion, etc.

I claim:

1. In a ski harness, a holding device for clamping the heel of a boot against a ski, comprising, in combination:

(a) a pivotable clamping member movable in clamping rotation to apply a vertical thrust on the top of said heel to clamp the said heel against said ski; said member being also movable in reverse releasing rotation to unclamp said heel, upon rising of the heel;

(b) actuating means resiliently biased in one direction;

(c) an actuator on said acntating means engageable with said clamping member to move the said member in clamping rotation under the bias of said actuating means;

(d) connecting means joining said actuator and actuating means together to allow said actuator to slip away from said clamping member after predetermined travel of said actuator against the bias of said actuating means resulting from movement of said clamping member in releasing rotation by rising of said heel;

(e) locking means for lock said actuator after said predetermined travel and as said actuator slips away from said clamping member; said actuator being locked against the bias of said actuating means.

2. In a ski harness, a holding device for clamping the heel of a boot against a ski, comprising, in combination:

(a) a support fixedly mounted on said ski;

(b) a clamping member pivotally mounted on said support for movement in clamping rotation whereby to apply a vertical thrust on the top of said heel to clamp the said heel against said ski, and for movement in reverse releasing rotation to unclamp said heel upon rising thereof;

(0) an operating arm, fast with and projecting from said clamping member;

((1) actuating means, on said support, rectilinearly biased in one direction;

(e) an actuator pivotally connected to said actuating means and engageable with said arm to move said clamping member in clamping rotation under the bias of said actuating means;

(f) guiding means, on said support, for guiding said actuator when moved by said actuating means; said guiding means having a predetermined length whereby to allow said pivoted actuator to slip away unguided and disengage from said arm after having covered said predetermined length against the bias of said actuating means resulting from movement of 11 said clamping member and said arm in releasing rotation by rising of said heel, and

(g) locking means on said support for locking said actuator immediately after having disengaged from said arm,

wherein said support comprises two spaced upright lateral walls; said guiding means being a slot through each of said walls extending in said one direction and having said predetermined length; the ends of said actuator extending through said slots for guiding movement; said locking means being further slots at the end of said other slots adapted to receive the ends of said actuator as it slips away.

3. In a ski harness, a holding device for clamping the heel of a boot against a ski, comprising, in combination:

(a) a support fixedly mounted on said ski;

(b) a clamping member pivotally mounted on said support for movement in clamping rotation whereby to apply a vertical thrust on the top of said heel to clamp the said heel against said ski, and for movement in reverse releasing rotation to unclamp said heel upon rising thereof;

() an operating arm, fast with and projecting from said clamping member;

(d) actuating. means, on said support, rectilinearly biased in one direction;

(e) an actuator pivotally connected to said actuating means and eugageable with said arm to move said clamping member in clamping rotation under the bias of said actuating means;

(if) guiding means, on said support, for guiding said actuator when moved by said actuating means; said guiding means having a predetermined length whereby to allow said pivoted actuator to slip away unguided and disengage from said arm after having cov-' ered said predetermined length against the bias of said actuating means resulting from movement of said clamping member and said arm in releasing rotation by rising of said heel, and

(g) locking means on said support for locking said actuator immediately after having disengaged from said arm,

wherein said support comprises two spaced upright lateral walls; said guiding means being a fiat surface of a block secured to each of said walls; said actuator being formed with a hook and said locking means is a further surface of said block adapted to receive said hook as said actuator slips away from said arm.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, a releasing lever rockably mounted on said ski beneath said clamping member; said lever having a pair of opposed branches, one projecting underneath said actuator and so located that as said heel is pressed down on said one branch, the other branch releases said hook from said block to direct said actuator on said guiding surface to be acted on by the bias of said actuating means to thereby cause clamping rotation of said clamping member through said arm.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,071 3/1959 King 28011.3'5 3,125,349 3/1964 Schweizer 280-1135 FOREIGN PATENTS 241,681 7/ 1946 Switzerland.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

I. H. BRANNEN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A SKI HARNESS, A HOLDING DEVICE FOR CLAMPING THE HEEL OF A BOOT AGAINST A SKI, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A PIVOTABLE CLAMPING MEMBER MOVABLE IN CLAMPING ROTATION TO APPLY A VERTICAL THRUST ON THE TOP OF SAID HEEL TO CLAMP THE SAID HEEL AGAINST SAID SKI; SAID MEMBER BEING ALSO MOVABLE IN REVERSE RELEASING ROTATION TO UNCLAMP SAID HEEL, UPON RISING OF THE HEEL; (B) ACTUATING MEANS RESILIENTLY BIASED IN ONE DIRECTION; (C) AN ACTUATOR ON SAID ACUTATING MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CLAMPING MEMBER TO MOVE THE SAID MEMBER IN CLAMPING ROTATION UNDER THE BIAS OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS; (D) CONNECTING MEANS JOINING SAID ACTUATOR AND ACTUATING MEANS TOGETHER TO ALLOW SAID ACTUATOR TO SLIP AWAY FROM SAID CLAMPING MEMBER AFTER PREDETERMINED TRAVEL OF SAID ACTUATOR AGAINST THE BIAS OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS RESULTING FROM MOVEMENT OF SAID CLAMPING MEMBER IN RELEASING ROTATION BY RISING OF SAID HEEL; (E) LOCKING MEANS FOR LOCK SAID ACTUATOR AFTER SAID PREDETERMINED TRAVEL AND AS SAID ACTUATOR SLIPS AWAY FROM SAID CLAMPING MEMBER; SAID ACTUATOR BEING LOCKED AGAINST THE BIAS OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS. 